X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Bathing your Baby

3 min read
Bathing your Baby

Bathing your baby does not only make him clean. Bathing him will also allow you to thoroughly check your baby’s body allowing you to evaluate your child’s physical condition. It also relaxes your baby so he easily goes to sleep after a warm bath.

baby bath

A baby’s first bath

Many new mothers are intimated by the idea of bathing their tiny newborn baby. By learning how to bathe your baby though, you are bound to make the bath time one of the most memorable experiences of you caring for your new baby.

Your baby’s first bath

Submerging your baby in water may increase his risks of infection if his umbilical stump has not yet fallen off and, if circumcised, his circumcision has not yet healed. It is therefore recommended that newborns be given a sponge bath.

Instead of dipping your baby in a bath tub, you can moisten a washcloth or sponge with warm water and wipe your baby’s skin starting from the head to the rest of his body. You may use a mild unscented soap when your baby’s skin is too oily and dirty. Make sure to pay special attention to areas that get dirt easily such as the diaper area and skin creases. Rinse your baby with warm water and dry him well.

Caring for the umbilical stump

Your baby’s umbilical stump needs special attention. It is not advised to give your baby a tub bath until the stump is healed as dirty water in the bath tub may cause infection. You must always therefore keep the umbilical clean and dry.

Your doctor may tell you to clean your baby’s umbilical stump with cotton balls dabbed in alcohol. It is also advised not to cover the umbilical stump with diaper so it will not be exposed to urine and germs.

Never pull off the cord as it will come off on its own. By their second week, most babies drop off their umbilical stump.

How to bathe your baby

You can give your baby a tub bath if his umbilical cord has already fallen off and if his circumcision has already healed.

Remember that young babies should be undressed and bathed in a warm room because they can’t regulate their body temperature well yet.

Fill the tub with 3 inches of warm water. You can use your elbow to test whether the temperature of the water is comfortably warm.

You also need to prepare your bathing kit before you bathe your baby so you will not be leaving your baby behind to get the things that you need. Never leave your baby alone in the bath.

Your bathing kit should have the following:

2-3 Washcloths

Mild soap or baby cleanser

Baby shampoo

Diaper rash ointment. Avoid using baby powders because they can irritate your baby’s respiratory system

Towel

Clothing

Avoid adding alcohol, soap and bubble bath to the water as this may dry your baby’s sensitive skin.

You must also always support your baby’s head with your other hand to prevent water from getting into his ears and nose.

You may also opt not to use soap during the first few baths because this can make your child slippery and difficult to bathe.

 

For more related articles on your baby, see:

Partner Stories
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind
Health is Your Greatest Wealth. Learn How Your CPF Savings Can Safeguard Your Healthcare Needs and Provide Peace of Mind

10 dangerous medicines for your baby

First week with your newborn

Good sleep habits for your newborn

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Roshni Mahtani

  • Home
  • /
  • Baby
  • /
  • Bathing your Baby
Share:
  • 5 Essential Baby Bathing Tips That Every New Parent Should Know

    5 Essential Baby Bathing Tips That Every New Parent Should Know

  • How to bathe a baby

    How to bathe a baby

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

    ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

  • 5 Essential Baby Bathing Tips That Every New Parent Should Know

    5 Essential Baby Bathing Tips That Every New Parent Should Know

  • How to bathe a baby

    How to bathe a baby

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

    ‘How Can I See My Child Get Hit and Not Do Anything?’ Police Called In After Maid and Employer Get Into Fight at Home

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and lifestyle updates.